Volumе 1 Сhaptеr 15: The Рhоеniх Тrеe Stаnds, but Its Неart Is Нollоw
“Xingxing!”
Тhе girl on thе scrееn hаd spаrkling, glimmеring eуеs—bright аnd bеаutiful, fоrеver сrisp аnd full оf vitality, as if the еntire wоrld had nеvеr knоwn glоom.
Fu Huаixu’s smile brimmеd with аffесtion. “Мm, I’m herе.”
Jiang Xining сut strаight tо thе рoint, аsking very direсtlу, “Хingхing, hаve you еvеr hаd a first lоve?”
Fu Нuaixu’s dаrk еуеs deeреned for а moment bеfоrе hе smiled gеntlу. “Why ask that all of a sudden?”
“I’m… I’m just сurious.”
Jiаng Хining’s vоiсе was swеet, carrуing a hint оf plаyful сoquettishness. “Just tell me, okay?”
Fu Huaixu’s gaze fell on the mark covered by his wristwatch. After a moment of silence, he slowly replied, “Yes.”
“…Was she also your classmate?”
For some reason, Jiang Xining suddenly felt a tightness in her heart, an uncomfortable pang.
Xingxing had a first love…
Unconsciously, she tugged at the long ears of the rabbit plushie on her bed, her eyes lowered, her eyelashes trembling uncontrollably. “Did you… like her very much?”
“Mm.” A faint smile played at the corners of Fu Huaixu’s lips, the emotions hidden deep in his eyes almost impossible to conceal, as if he were trying to see through the screen itself. “I loved her very much.”
Loved…
Jiang Xining was dazed, not yet grasping the weight of that word before a wave of panic washed over her.
“Then… will you still go abroad? Will you go find her?”
Before Fu Huaixu could answer, Jiang Xining bit her lip anxiously. “Xingxing, can you… not leave? I, I…” It was as if her tongue had tied itself in knots, unable to form a coherent thought.
“Jiaojiao doesn’t want me to leave?”
Jiang Xining nodded repeatedly, her voice urgent. “Yes! I don’t want you to go!”
Faced with Fu Jinghao, the young girl never showed such vivid expressions. Fu Huaixu, at least, held a special place in her heart. Yet, the thought that the titles of “boyfriend” and “fiancé” should rightfully belong to him made the suppressed jealousy and bitterness cling to him like maggots to bone, burning Fu Huaixu with unbearable pain.
Why? He only wanted Jiaojiao, only her. Why did they have to take her away from him?
“I can promise not to leave for now, but…” Fu Huaixu didn’t know if he was saying this for her sake or for his own. “There are no lifelong friends in this world. Only husband and wife can accompany each other forever.”
“Jiaojiao and Jinghao are boyfriend and girlfriend now, and they’ll be husband and wife in the future. In the end, I’m the extra one. I can’t—and shouldn’t—always be the third wheel.”
Fu Huaixu had said something similar before, but Jiang Xining hadn’t understood it then.
She had thought Xingxing would always be like he was in their childhood—unconditionally accepting of everything about her, always by her side.
But now she knew: Xingxing had someone he loved.
He wouldn’t stay in the country for long…
From childhood to now, Jiang Xining had possessed many things, but she could never keep him.
Without warning, crystal-clear tears silently slid down her fair cheeks.
It wasn’t the crying of a spoiled child, nor was it the crying of someone wronged. Jiang Xining only felt as if the sky had collapsed. Why couldn’t things last a lifetime? Why couldn’t they be like they were in their childhood?
In that instant, Fu Huaixu’s heart felt as if pierced by needles, aching with a dense, sharp pain.
Once again.
He truly was despicable.
“Xingxing, can’t we… be husband and wife?”
Jiang Xining’s eyes were red as she sniffled between sobs. “If we were husband and wife, would you… not leave then?”
Even though he knew the girl’s meaning wasn’t the same as his own, Fu Huaixu still felt a fleeting sense of satisfaction.”But Jiaojiao, a person can only like one person and marry one person… You already have Jinghao, how can you still want me?”
Jiang Xining’s little face scrunched up, torn and heartbroken, “Can’t I have two?”
She didn’t understand—she liked Dou Dou, and she also liked Xingxing, so why couldn’t she have both?
Fu Huaixu silently shook his head.
In truth, he could have easily taken this opportunity to coax or even pressure Jiaojiao into choosing only one. But having missed over a decade of her growth, could he really be sure that he, as her “brother,” held as much weight in her heart as a boyfriend?
Fu Huaixu lacked that confidence.
“Jiaojiao, don’t cry anymore, your eyes will hurt…”
“Then… then you won’t leave… okay?” Jiang Xining choked back sobs, stubbornly seeking a firm promise from him.
Fu Huaixu closed his eyes briefly. Even through the screen, the heartache he couldn’t hide was clearly visible in his gaze.
“Okay, I promise Jiaojiao—as long as I’m alive, I will never leave you… Let’s not bring up this topic again, alright?”
“Mhm…” Jiang Xining wiped away her tears, her voice muffled with grievance. “Then Xingxing, you have to live a long life, don’t die too soon.”
“Mhm.” Dark emotions swirled in his eyes as Fu Huaixu agreed to all her demands without any hesitation.
“I’ll try my best to outlive Jiaojiao, so you won’t have to grieve.”
…
Jiang Xining’s emotions came and went quickly. Having received Fu Huaixu’s assurance was like swallowing a calming pill.
She wriggled on the bed and suddenly looked into Fu Huaixu’s eyes. “When are you going to the hospital?”
“Hmm?” Fu Huaixu asked, “What for?”
Jiang Xining tapped the screen. “Your eyes—do they still hurt now?”
Her mind worked slowly, but she remembered almost everything that had happened. When Xingxing was blind, he would often sit alone, his face showing signs of pain. It must have been because his eyes were very uncomfortable.
Fu Huaixu raised his hand and touched the fragile spot he despised the most. “It hurts occasionally, but it’s much better now.”
Sure enough, Jiang Xining’s expression turned pained. “Xingxing, don’t stay up too late—it’ll make you feel awful.”
“Remember to tell me before you go to the hospital. I’ll go with you!”
“Okay.”
After the call ended, Fu Huaixu noticed Fu Fanyu idly plucking leaves from a potted plant nearby. “Fourth Brother, why are you still here?”
Fu Fanyu: “…” Should he be under the car instead of here?
People really do become less adorable as they grow up—now he’s already finding his own brother an eyesore.
Who was it back then who was desperate and heartbroken? Who was it who tearfully begged him? Use him and toss him aside, hmph!
“Right, I’ll leave now, so I don’t disturb you, old man, from your ‘romantic affairs’!” Fu Fanyu flicked a bank card between his fingers and strode away with flair.
Just as he reached the door, he suddenly paused. “Oh, by the way, I buried a jar of daughter’s wine for you at home. Do your best—try to let me drink it next year.”
Daughter’s wine…
Fu Huaixu lightly circled a certain date on the calendar. “I will.”
The office fell silent again. Fu Huaixu stood up and walked to the clear floor-to-ceiling window.
The once awe-inspiring and unassailable Fu Corporation now seemed insignificant before JX Group. The flowing traffic and pedestrians on the streets below looked like ants. He had already attained wealth and status that most people could never even dream of in their lifetimes.
Yet his heart remained empty.From the day she was forced to go abroad, a gaping hole had been torn open in her heart, whistling emptily.
…
【Xingxing, have you left yet?】
【Not yet.】 Fu Huaixu sent a photo, honestly reporting, 【At the company.】
Since that incident, Jiang Xining seemed to have activated a surveillance mode, afraid he might sneak away.
Fu Huaixu patiently cooperated, always keeping her informed no matter what, 【It’s snowing today, make sure to wrap your scarf tightly, don’t play in the snow, be careful not to catch a cold.】
【Alright, alright, I remember!】
Just as she sent the message, the car came to a stop. Jiang Xining adjusted her scarf, a sweet smile on her face. “Sister Mu, I’ll wait over there. Take your time parking.”
Ye Mu was the personal bodyguard Jiang Xinjuan had arranged for Jiang Xining. On ordinary days, there wasn’t much to do—just accompany her out for food and drinks and ensure her safety.
Ye Mu opened an umbrella and held it over Jiang Xining’s head. “The ground is slippery, walk slowly. I’ll catch up soon.”
“Mhm!” Jiang Xining nodded eagerly.
“Yihuan” Dessert Shop.
This was a hidden gem Jiang Xining had recently discovered, filled with beautiful women and desserts that were fragrant and delicious.
For her birthday this year, she planned to order an extra-large cake!
She also wanted to buy some pastries to bring to Xingxing and Dou Dou—she loved surprising them the most.